Creating an Australian community public sphere: the role of community radio

The first comprehensive study of the Australian community radio sector at the turn of the millennium revealed insights into the contemporary operations of the sector, particularly in terms of its connections to communities, production of local content, and creation of a citizens media. It offered an analysis of the people working in community radio their training levels, skills, personal profile, career goals and so on. This article looks specifically at the processes of the formation of a community public sphere in Australia through the activities of around 25,000 volunteers and 4 million listeners each week in the sector across the country. It is particularly relevant in light of the recent trials and transmission of access radio in the United Kingdom, and the growth of community radio across Europe. As Australia was one of the few countries to legislate for community radio in the early 1970s, the experience and development of community radio here is relevant to the sector's global development. The discussion considers some early findings from the first qualitative audience study of the sector by the authors.